Matthew 9:9-13; 18-26

•          How Bad Was The Company Jesus Kept?  Customs officials like Matthew were considered despicable because they were suspected of double dipping.  But who were the other “sinners” with whom Jesus dined?  Loose livers?  Heartless heathens?  ”Sinners” may have been people whose very profession constituted a violation of Torah—e.g. bankers, whose business involved lending at interest.

•          Continuity within Discontinuity (9:9-13) – In all of his astounding, revolutionary activity as humble servant, powerful healer, transcendent Son of Man, Jesus remains the fulfiller of the Law and the prophets, not their destroyer.[1]

•          Who’s Sick Around Here?  The verb “to call” can also mean “invite” as in the parable of the wedding feast (2:1-10).  A primary aspect of Jesus’ ministry was to invite sinners to the messianic banquet.  “They are invited not because they are worthy but because God in his graciousness wants them to be included.”[2]

•          Hilary & Peter Chrysologus  – on the interconnectedness of the two stories: Wholeness is conferred on one who is sick, while life is restored to another who is dead . . . God can sooner restore life-giving warmth to limbs frozen in death than people can infuse vigor in bodies immersed in sleep.[3]  

•          Who are the “Matthews” around you?

•          Where are you in the story of 9:9-13?  Matthew?  Colleagues?  Pharisees? Sinners?

•          Try standing in each of the character’s shoes (sandals!) as you think about the two stories (9:9-13 and 18-26)

•          What feelings might have prompted the ruler to approach Jesus?  What about the woman?  How would you feel as you reached out to touch Jesus?

•          List what the ruler and the woman might have shared in common.

•          What does this story encourage you to do as you face desperate situations? 

•          You might begin by leading the listening community toward Matthew’s arrangement (vis-à-vis Luke’s) of call and mighty deeds.  (Mt 8, for example, begins with healing, then to the healing mixed with teaching and back to mass healings then to the costs involved in following him, etc.)

• What lessons does the Matthean teacher wish to teach us about calling and mighty deeds?

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[1] John P. Meier, The Vision of Matthew (New York: Paulist Press, 1979), page 72.
[2] Douglas R.A. Hare Interpretation: Matthew (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1993), page 102.
[3] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture Ia (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001, page 182.